COLUMBUS  A board of teachers and school administrators, instead of the State Board of Education, would issue licenses to Ohio primary and secondary school teachers under a bill the Senate approved Wednesday.

The Senate voted 30-3 in favor of the bill sponsored by Sen. Larry Mumper, a Marion Republican. It goes now to the House, which is not back in session until after the Nov. 7 election.

The idea is backed by the Ohio Education Association, the state's largest teachers union with 125,000 members.

But it is opposed by others in the education community, notably state board President Martha Wise and Susan Tave Zelman, superintendent of public instruction.

The state board, which by law excludes teachers, now issues the licenses.